Acupuncture for patients with mild hypertension: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Acupuncture may be beneficial for patients with mild hypertension, but the evidence is not convincing. We aimed to examine the effect of acupuncture on blood pressure (BP) reduction in patients with mild hypertension. We conducted a multicenter, single‐blind, sham‐controlled, randomized trial in eleven hospitals in China. The trial included 428 patients with systolic blood pressure (SBP) from 140 to 159 mm Hg and/or with diastolic blood pressure (DBP) from 90 to 99 mm Hg. The patients were randomly assigned to receive 18 sessions of affected meridian acupuncture (n = 107) or non‐affected meridian acupuncture (n = 107) or sham acupuncture (n = 107) during 6 weeks, or to stay in a waiting‐list control (n = 107). All patients received 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring at weeks 6, 9, and 12. We included 415 participants in the intention‐to‐treat analysis. The two acupuncture groups were pooled in the analysis, since they had no difference in all outcomes. SBP decreased at week 6 in acupuncture group vs sham acupuncture vs waiting‐list group (7.2 ± 11.0 mm Hg vs 4.1 ± 11.5 mm Hg vs 4.1 ± 13.2 mm Hg); acupuncture was not superior to sham acupuncture (mean difference 2.7 mm Hg, 95% CI 0.4 to 5.9, adjusted P = 0.103) or waiting‐list control (2.9 mm Hg, 95% CI −0.2 to 6.0, adjusted P = 0.078). However, acupuncture was superior to sham acupuncture (3.3 mm Hg, 95% CI 0.2 to 6.3, adjusted P = 0.035) and waiting‐list control (4.8 mm Hg, 95% CI 1.8 to 7.8, P < 0.001) at week 9. Acupuncture had a small effect size on the reduction of BP in patients with mild hypertension.

Improvement of intestinal flora: accompany with the antihypertensive effect of electroacupuncture on stage 1 hypertension

“…Girerd, et al [ 28 ] showed that each 2 mmHg reduction in SBP was associated with a 25% reduction in stroke events. A reduction in SBP by at least 5 mm Hg in the general population was corresponding to a 9% reduction in mortality caused by coronary heart disease, and a 7% reduction in all-cause mortality [ 29 , 30 ]. Therefore, EA has positive clinical meaningful effect on patients with stage 1 hypertension.…”

Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for high-normal blood pressure: study protocol for a randomized controlled pilot trial

“…In previous study, we founded that acupuncture at Taichong decreases high blood pressure and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase in the rostral ventrolateral medulla of spontaneously hypertensive rats [27], and the other study suggested that the beneficial effects of electroacupuncture at Zusanli on hypertension may be through modulation of functional γ-aminobutyric acid receptors in the nucleus tractus solitarii [28]. The clinical efficacy of these two acupoints has also been confirmed in a multicenter clinical trial [29]. Furthermore, these 4 points were on the limbs so it is very easy for participants to access and apply treatments.…”

Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for high-normal blood pressure: study protocol for a randomized controlled pilot trial

“…In previous study, we founded that acupuncture at Taichong decreases high blood pressure and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase in the rostral ventrolateral medulla of spontaneously hypertensive rats [27] , and the other study suggested that the bene cial effects of electroacupuncture at Zusanli on hypertension may be through modulation of functional γ-aminobutyric acid receptors in the nucleus tractus solitarii [28] . The clinical e cacy of these two acupoints has also been con rmed in a multicenter clinical trial [29] . Furthermore, these 4 points were on the limbs so it is very easy for participants to access and apply treatments.…”